Archdevils are the rulers of the Nine Hells. They each control one of the nine hells and are the most powerful and highest-ranking devils. Some of them were angels who followed Asmodeus and joined the Blood War.^[1] Unlike the demon lords of the Abyss, the Lords of the Nine Hells are arranged in a strict hierarchy. The lord of the first layer has the lowest rank of the nine archdevils, while the lord of the ninth and deepest layer, Nessus, has the highest rank. While the demons of the Abyss answered only to their own basic instincts, every single devil, at least in theory, answered to the Lord of the Ninth, Asmodeus.^[2][3] Every archdevil is a unique being with an appearance that reflects its particular evil nature.^[4]

One of the Arms of the Betrayers was created by Asmodeus: the Mace of the Black Crown.^[5] One of the few proposed ways to destroy one of the Arms of the Betrayers is to bathe it in the ichor of an archdevil.^[6]

Known archdevils

• Zariel: Fallen angel, and the Archduchess of Avernus, the first layer
• Dispater: The Iron Duke of Dis, the second layer
• Mammon: The ruler of Minauros, the third layer^{[presumed][7][8]}
• Fierna: Co-ruler of Phlegethos, the fourth layer^[presumed]
• Asmodeus: Devil god of the Nine Hells of Baator, and the ruler of Nessus, the ninth layer

Trivia

• Sam Riegel mentioned both Baalzebul (the lord of Maladomini, the seventh layer) and Mephistopheles (the lord of Cania, the eighth layer) at the beginning of "Between the Lines" (2x78) to promote Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus.^[9] However, none of these archdevils nor their circles in the Nine Hells are actually referenced in-universe.
• Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes offers customization options for cultists of different archdevils, granting them specific powers based on their fiendish master.^[10]

References

1. ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, pp. 11–12.
2. ↑ See "Vox Machina Go to Hell" (1x91) at 27:00.
3. ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 26.
4. ↑ See D&D: Monster Manual (2014), 5^th ed., p. 68.
5. ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 276.
6. ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 275.
7. ↑ See "Looming" (3x108) at 0:54:51.
8. ↑ See D&D: Dungeon Master's Guide (2014), 5^th ed., p. 64.
9. ↑ See "Between the Lines" (2x78) at 0:02:17.
10. ↑ See D&D: Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes, 5^th ed., p. 18-21.

Art: